UMPI welcomes new employees to campus

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is welcoming several new employees at the start of the 2008-2009 academic year, including new professors, a coach and professional staffers.

Carolyn Dorsey Durepo joins the University as a new member of the Business faculty. Dorsey Durepo most recently served as Director of Continuing Education at Husson University in Presque Isle, where she was responsible for providing educational, professional and service leadership for Husson's Presque Isle site. Prior to this position, she served as an adjunct faculty member for Husson University; from 1994 to 1996 as Executive Director of the Caribou Development Corporation; and from 1991-1994 as Vice President of Nightingale Enterprises, Inc. of Fort Fairfield. She has a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and in Business, and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Husson.

Dorsey Durepo is a past president of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club; a member of the United Way of Aroostook Board of Directors; president and member of the Board of Directors for the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce; a member of Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development, a member of the Brain Injury Association of Maine advisory council; a member of the Northern Maine Community College Business Administration Advisory Board; a member of the Loring Job Corps Center Community Relations Council; a Past President of the Preceptor Gamma Sorority; a Past President and Treasurer of the Fort Fairfield Hospital Guild; and was named the 1995 Maine State Young Careerist by the Business and Professional Women organization.

Rene Felini comes to UMPI as a new assistant professor of Fine Art. Felini graduated from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a BFA in 2003 and from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with an MFA in 2005. Though from "away," Felini has close ties to the County: her mother is from Fort Kent and every summer as a child, she and her five siblings would visit relatives in northern Maine. Felini held her most recent exhibit last spring.

Jannie Durr joins the Student Life office as the Area Coordinator for Residence Life. Durr graduated from Bates College with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1998. She received a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Assumption College in 2000. Prior to this position, she worked at the University of New England in Biddeford as an Area Coordinator for student life and as Assistant Director of Campus Life for Colby College in Waterville.

Erica Harding joins the University as a secretary with the Student Records office. Harding comes to the position after graduating from the University in 2009 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and Accounting. While earning her degree, she served as President of Phi Eta Sigma national honor society. Her past work experience includes working in the hospitality industry with the Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston and as manager of the Braden Theater in Presque Isle. Harding graduated from Presque Isle High School in 2001.

Luke Joseph joins the University as the Coordinator of Retention Activities for Project Compass. He graduated from the University in 2009 with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education. Prior to this position, Joseph worked for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians' youth program and for Circle of Learning in Caribou as an educational tech.

Myrth Schwartz comes to the University as an administrative assistant for the Project Compass program. She earned her Bachelor's degree in 2001 from UMPI, and in the same year earned the University's Outstanding Professional Award. Prior to this position, Schwartz served as the Youth/Unit Director for the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians.

Tammy Smith joins the University as an Academic Counselor for Upward Bound. Smith earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Management from UMPI in 2006. She previously served as the AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for TRiO Upward Bound.

William More II joins the University as a buildings and grounds maintenance worker for UMPI's Houlton Higher Education Center. After serving in the U.S. Army with an airborne infantry division, More returned to Houlton to work for Fogg's Hardware. He also gained valuable experience as a maintenance worker for Madigan Estates. He most recently worked as a general carpenter and handyman in the Houlton community.

Nationally recognized coach Alexei Sotskov comes to the University to serve as head coach of UMPI's Ski Team. Sotskov - who helped to develop the Gunstock Nordic Association in Gilford, New Hampshire, and Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, Vermont, into national powerhouses for the U.S. Nordic Ski Team - will lead the development of UMPI's Nordic Ski Team as it prepares for Divison I NCAA status for the coming athletic season.

Sotskov was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, and has spent his entire career coaching and mentoring Nordic skiers. He has a wealth of international coaching experience, having served as a ski and athletic coach for the Russian National Nordic Combined Team, and as the head Nordic Combined coach at the School of Superior Athletic Performance in Russia. During the summers of 2008 and 2009, he coached the New Zealand National Nordic team.

Sotskov has a bachelor's degree in physical education/athletics from the State Institute of Physical Culture and Sport named after P.F. Lesgaft in Russia.